Word to the Wise
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 - 2nd Week of Lent - Wed
[Jer 18:18-20 and Matt 20:17-28]You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
At first glance both scriptures for this day seem to be about plotting and scheming. Jeremiah reports plots against him, and Matthew reports the scheming of two of the Twelve to gain a more prominent place in the "kingdom." There is also the undercurrent of the plotting and scheming by the authorities in Jerusalem to get rid of Jesus. Whenever there is a prominent figure who seems to be "powerful" in any way, there will be those who envy that person and try in some way to get a share of that power. A visit to any politically active place like a state capital or Washington, D.C. or the Vatican for that matter would provide more than enough evidence of this. In fact, one need not travel. One can just read any political gossip column in the newspaper or on the internet. It is a common occurrence and it can be dangerous, even lethal.
When Jesus confronts James and John (who get their mom to lobby for them), he warns them that his "cup" might contain a lethal outcome and that any "power" positions are out of the question. But, given the fact that these two are probably not the only schemers, Jesus gives a talk to all of the Twelve - a kind of "if the shoe fits, wear it" warning about what power means in his preaching and his kingdom.
It could be a very useful Lenten "exercise" to ponder one's attitude about "power." Is there a tendency to enjoy "plotting and scheming?" Is there a tendency to envy anyone given what is perceived as a powerful position? What is the difference between "power FOR" and "power OVER?" How does this figure into the way one treats others as a matter of daily Christian living? Our attitudes about power can teach us a lot about ourselves. AMEN
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